Luigi Mangione has pleaded guilty in federal court in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, prompting an emotional response from Thompson’s grieving family.
Mangione entered guilty pleas Friday, Aug. 14, to one count of interstate stalking resulting in death and one count of stalking through the use of interstate facilities resulting in death, according to CNN and The New York Times.
Thompson’s family was inside the New York City federal courtroom as Mangione appeared before U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett.
According to CNN, members of the family appeared visibly emotional during the hearing, holding hands and fighting back tears as the plea was entered.
Afterward, Thompson’s relatives released a statement calling the development an important step toward justice.
“Today’s guilty plea marks an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family,” they said.
The family added that nothing could erase the pain of losing Thompson, but said they were grateful the federal justice system had held the person responsible accountable.
They are now urging the court to impose a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crime.
“Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime,” the family said.
The legal battle, however, is far from over.
Mangione is also charged with murder in New York state court in connection with Thompson’s death, with jury selection currently scheduled to begin Sept. 8.
His federal guilty plea could complicate that case.
Following Friday’s hearing, Mangione’s attorneys said they had already filed a motion arguing that continuing with the state prosecution would violate protections against double jeopardy.
New York criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor Seth J. Zuckerman told PEOPLE that the legal fight could delay the planned state trial.
He said whichever side loses the double jeopardy argument could seek an emergency appeal, potentially making the current September trial schedule difficult to maintain.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, however, made clear it still intends to move forward.
Prosecutors said they have been preparing since December 2024 to pursue a conviction in New York State Supreme Court for what they described as the alleged “cold-blooded murder” of Thompson.
The office said it was encouraged that Thompson’s family had received “a measure of accountability” through the federal plea but remained prepared to fight Mangione’s defense motions.
Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania following a multi-day manhunt and also faces legal proceedings there.
Thompson was fatally shot outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel in December 2024, a killing that quickly became one of the most closely watched criminal cases in the country.